Manuscript Critiques & Consultations

Congratulations on knowing feedback is an important part of making your manuscript the best it can be. There is so much about the publishing process that is out of our control as writers but what IS in our control is the quality of the manuscript we send out.

I offer a limited number of critiques of picture books and novels for a fee each year to writers committed to their craft. If you’ve been working on a middle grade or young adult novel, have done some revisions and are ready to take it to the next level, feel free to contact me about a possible critique. If you have only written a first draft, I would recommend revising a few more times before contacting me.

Once I receive your form, I may ask a few questions to see if we are a good fit and if it’s a go, I’ll give you a timeframe and instructions on submitting your project.

UPDATE: In order to complete my own projects, I am currently NOT accepting manuscripts for critique until 2017.

Note: If we have communicated already, I have your critique factored into my schedule.

I review and comment on picture book manuscripts up to 1,000 words. There are definitely publishers who publish picture books longer than 1,000 words (bigger publishers and smaller ones), but I believe shorter manuscripts are more in demand so I like to focus on those.

Before You Contact Me

Picture books are a unique type of book and even after reading dozens of them when I was first starting out, I still didn’t have a firm grasp on what actually made a story a picture book story. That’s why I developed both my in-person workshop, Intro to the Children’s Picture Book at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver and my online, self-paced course, Children’s Pictue Books 101: What to Know Before You Write. These are courses I wish I had before I started writing picture books. 🙂 Whether you take one of my classes or someone else’s, I would encourage you to explore picture books on a deeper level before getting a critique.

PICTURE BOOK WORKSHOP: If you live in or around Denver and are new to the world of picture books, I’d encourage you to consider taking one of my Picture Book Workshops at Lighthouse Writers where you can receive feedback from more than just me!

I enjoy all genres and have critiqued all genres so I look forward to your work if you’d like to send it. If you live in or around Denver, I’d encourage you to consider signing up for an 8-week Middle Grade/YA workshop at Lighthouse Writers. Click here for more info.

If you live in or around Denver and would like to meet to discuss a manuscript I critiqued or just talk about your ideas and get advice, we can set up a paid consultation. This might include my reading your manuscript through once and helping you determine your goals for it, offering thoughts on its marketability, and sometimes making suggestions for target markets.

I offer phone conversations to discuss more general writing and publishing questions. See the brochure for more info!

Are You a Reader with Your Own Story or Book?

I love to hear that readers are writing their own stories and books! And I wish I could read them all. But unfortunately, I can’t. I just don’t have time. But I would encourage you to find a trusted teacher or a writing class in your area so you can get some feedback on your book.

Manuscript Critiques & Consultations Form

*indicates required field

Name:*

Email:*

Grade (if a student):

How did you find me?

If other, where? (and if a class, where?)

If a friend/colleague, who may I thank?

How long have you been writing?

What are some of your writing goals (hobby, hope to make a living at it or at least some $$)?

Please select type of critique or consultation

Please select the manuscript type/length:

Provide a brief description/summary of the manuscript for which you would like a critique or consultation. If you are asking for a CONSULT ONLY, please let me know what you are hoping to gain from our conversation (see my brochure for example topics):